Puritans hit back to take the honours at Cambridge

Banbury United's Conor McDonagh takes on Biggleswade Town's Gavin Hoyte. And it was McDonagh who got United's equaliser at Cambridge City

Published:09:06Tuesday 11 October 2016

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Following two successive draws, Banbury United got back to winning ways in the Evo-Stik Southern League.

The Puritans won 2-1 at Cambridge City in Monday’s premier division clash courtesy of a late own goal from Jack Uttridge. But, once again, United had to come from a goal down to get something out of the game.

Ricky Johnson started up front and new signing Eddie Odhiambo made his full debut.

United dominated the opening half an hour, Zac McEachran burst through only to see his shot from the edge of the box scrape the post and Callum White’s cross was headed back across goal by Johnson but Enol Ordonez tipped the ball away.

Marvin Martin’s free-kick fell to Andy Gunn just six yards out but Ordonez came to his side’s rescue again by making a superb save, knocking the ball over the bar. Conor McDonagh then set up Johnson but his shot brought out another good save from the keeper.

Another Martin cross saw Johnson shoot just over and superb build-up play ended with McEachran smashing his shot against the post again.

But United were made to pay for their missed chances in the 32nd minute when City took the lead totally against the run of play, Joe Carden’s shot from the edge of the area hit both posts before nestling in the back of the net.

The goal changed the game and four minutes later a cross was headed just wide by Tunde Adewunmi.

But just when it looked as though City would have the halftime advantage, United equalised on the stroke of halftime when McDonagh found room 12 yards out and his low shot went across Ordonez into the bottom far corner of the net.

United didn’t create so many chances after the restart and City began to push the visitors back. The United defence had to work hard to keep the home side out as City began to look the more likelier to win it.

United’s best chance came when McEachran set up White and his shot from the angle of the area flew just inches wide of the far post.

City continued to press for a winner and they went close when Adewunmi shot just wide from the edge of the area.

It was all City in the closing stages but United won it in the second minute of stoppage-time when a low cross from Mark Bell ended with Uttridge slicing the ball into his own net as he tried to clear.